Engine



Oct. 30, 1934. I REAGAN 1 978,?62

ENGINE Filed Aug. 20, 192'? 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR [0170/ Z16 ReaganA BY ATTORNEY Oct; 30, 1934.

E. u. G. REAGAN ENGINE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 20, 1927 INVENTOR 0901 46. Reagan sail/a TORNEY Patented Oct. 30, 1934 ENGINE Edgar I G.Reagan, Detroit, Mich, assignor of one-half to Clarence F.'Harvey andone-fourth to George E. Hawley, both of Detroit, Mich.

Application August 20, 1927, Serial No. 214,268

My invention relates to improvements in engines of the so called wabblertype, in which the cylinders are arranged parallel with the main engineshaft and the power is transmitted from the pistons to. the shaft bymeans of a disc or spider which is connected with the pistons and withthe shaft and is inclined at other than right angles relative to'theshaft. a

The object of my invention is to provide an engine of this typeembodying a floating disc for transmitting the thrust of the pistons tothe shaft in the form of a torque which tends to turn said shaft, theconnection between the disc and the main shaft leaving the shaft free torotate with-- 5 out rotating the disc, and the periphery of the discbeing slidably connected with the pistons in such a manner as to-receivethe piston thrust and yet permit the required relative movement betweenthe disc and the pistons as the pistons reciprocate and impart awabbling movement to the disc.

' Another object is to provide eflicient counterbalancing means foreliminating vibration in an engine of this type.

Further objects are to simplify the construction and increase theeiflciency of the means for con-- necting the pistons with the mainshaftin an engine of thistype, and to improve the engine generally and renderthe same more compact and l) stronger in construction,; and moreeiflcient in operation.

Other and more specific objects will be appar-q.

- ent from the following description taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings.

5 The invention is herein disclosed as embodied in a steam engine but isequally well adapted for use in connection with an internal combustionengine.

In the accompanying drawings,- Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectionalview,on broken line '1--1. of Fig. 3, of an engine constructed in accordancewith my invention,

Fig. 2 is a detachedsectional view through one of. the pistons.

i Fig. 3 is an elevation of one of the pistons.

Fig. 4 is a cross section on broken line 4-4 of-Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detached elevation of the driving disc embodied in theinvention.

! Referring to the drawings, throughout which likemeference numeralsdesignate like parts. 5 designates a main engine shaft that is journaledin suitable bearings 6 which are supported in frame plates -7and 8respectively. The frame plates 7 and Bccnstitute the twmends of a motorhous ng and are secured to the ends of a block 9 in which are formed, aplurality of cylinders 10 that are arranged parallel with the axis ofthe shaft 5 and are equidista'ntly spaced around said shaft. In thedrawings I have shown seven cylin- 0 ders but obviously a greater orless number may be used. V

A piston 11 is mounted for reciprocation within each cylinder 10. Theforward end of each piston 11 isrecessed for the reception of acylindrical block 12 which supports the two halves 13 of a ball typebearing member. The pistons are slotted as at 14 toafford clearance forthe periphery of a floating disc 15 by which power is transmitted fromthe pistons to the shaft 5. The cylindrical blocks 12 are also cut awayas at 16 to afford clearance for said disc. The periphery of the disc 15passes slidably between the ball type bearing members 13 which form auniversal bear-' ing between the piston and the'disc. The disc 15 hasahole 17 in its center through which the shaft 5 passes and said disc isinclined at other than right angles to the axis of the shaft and isdisposed between twoinclined hub members 18 and 19 that are fixedly andnon-rotatably mount ed on the shaft 5. A collar 20 supports the outerend of the hub 18 and nuts 21 adjustably support the outer end of thehub 19. Anti-friction bear ings 22 are provided on both sides of thedisc 15 between said disc and the adjacent hub members 18 and 19. Thesebearings 22 are shownas balls disposed in races 23 in the inclinedsurfaces of the hub members 13 and 19 but obviously roller bearings maybe used in substantially the same way. The bearings 22 may be tightenedby 'ad-- iusting the nuts 21. I I

Ball bearings 24 are preferably disposed be-' tween the shaft 5 and thesurrounding portion of the disc 15 at the location of the hole 1'I.'

To counterbalance the thrust and inertia of the pistons on their powerstroke and to eliminate a vibration which is otherwise set up in anengine of this type a counterweight or balancer 25 is preferablyprovided onthe shaft 5. This counterweight may be in the form of asegment of a disc, as shown or it may be a complete disc made heavier onone side. Inlet valves 26 .and exhaust valves 27 are provided at thehead ends of the cylinders. These valves may be operated by cams 28' and29'respectively on the main shaft 5. The specific form of these valves 7and cam is not material to thepresent application and the valvesandc'ams are not herein described in detail. The valves are necessarilytimed to open in the proper sequence to admit steam to succes- 11 0 4sive cylinders and to permit the exhaust of successive cylinders as theshaft 5 rotates and the cams may be made to permit the engine to bereversed. When this invention is embodied in an internal combustionengine the valve arrangement will necessarily be different but themethod of transmitting power from the pistons to the main shaft, whichis the essence of this invention,

'will be the same.

In the operation of this engine steam will be admitted to successivecylinders just after the pistons have reached the rearmost position in.their stroke thereby moving the pistons forward one after another andproducing a thrust on an inclined portion of the disc 15 that will tendto turn the shaft 5. This pressure may continue throughout slightly lessthan one half of one complete revolution. While the pressure is beingexerted on one side, the pistons on the opposite side are movingrearwardly and are exhausting. Just before each piston reaches theoutermost limit of its power stroke it, begins to uncover a smallopening 30 through which some steam may exhaust, this steam carries oilwith it for lubricating the working parts of the engine after a mannercommonly known as the uniflow" in connection with steam engines. Thesmall opening 30 is quickly closed by the return movement of the pistonthe remainder of the steam exhausting past the valve 2'7 as the pistonmoves toward the rear end of the cylinder. While the pistons in onesemi-circular quadrant are moving outwardly on their power stroke thosein the opposite semicircular quadrant are moving rearwardly on theexhaust stroke.

The pressure exerted against the disc 15 on the power stroke of thepistons will be transmitted to the inclined bearings 22 and will producea torque which will tend to turn the shaft 5 in the wellknown. mannercommon to engines of this type.

The disc 15 does not rotate with the shaft 5 and is not fixed relativeto the pistons 11. Said disc being, in'eifect, free to float may turnslowlyas the shaft 5 rotates at high speed but said disc will not rotatefast enough to attain a high peripheral speed or to cause the same towear appreciably in the bearing members 13. The thrust of the pistonsagainst the disc 15 is all taken by the split balls 13 which have verylittle oscillation in the blocks and which slide the necessary smallamount on the disc 15 but are subject to very slightwear. The thrust ofthe disc 15 against the hub members 18 and 19 is taken by the balls 22 vhich are at a considerable distance from the axis of theshaft and areample to withstand the wear and strain to which they are subjected.

The foregoing description and accompanying drawings clearly disclose apreferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that.this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in thisengine may be resorted to as are within the scope and spirit of thefollowing claims.

I claim:

1. In an engine of the class described, a shaft, a plurality ofcylinders arranged around said shaft parallel therewith and spacedtherefrom, pistons in said cylinders, and means including an inclinedfloating metal wabbler disc 'having engagement with the pistons andhaving sliding means bearing on its sides-and connected with the shaftfor transmitting the thrust of the pistons as a torque to the shaft.

2. In an engine of the class described, a shaft, a plurality ofcylinders arranged around said shaft parallel therewith, pistonsreciprocable in said cylinders in directions parallel to the axis of theshaft, and means for transmitting the thrust of the pistons as a torqueto the shaft, said means including an inclined floating wabbler discwith a solid peripheral portion slidably engaged by said pistons and acentral opening affording clearance for said shaft, the faces of saiddisc adjacent said opening being flat to coact with bearing means on theshaft.

3. In an engine of the class described, a shaft, a plurality ofcylinders arranged around said shaft parallel therewith and in spacedrelation therefrom, pistons reciprocable in said cylinders, and 'meansfor transmitting the thrust of the pistons as a torque to the shaft,said means including an inclined wabbler disc with a solid peripheralportion slidable through the outer ends of said pistons and havingtoward its center, an opening-affording clearance for the shaft, thefaces of said disc adjacent said opening being plane and fiat, bearingflanges mounted in inclined positions on the shaft on opposite sides ofthe said disc and antifriction bearings between said flanges and thesides of said disc.

4. In an engine of the class described, a shaft,

a plurality of cylinders arranged around said shaft parallel therewith,pistons reciprocable said cylinders, means on said shaft affording twospaced apart bearings extending around the shaft" and disposed in aplane that is inclined at other than right angles to the shaft, and aninclined floating wabbler disc rotatably supported 'between saidbearings and having a central opening to clear said shaft, theperipheral portion of said wabbler disc being solid and having slidableconnection with saidpistons.

5. In an engine of the class described, a shaft, an engine housing, aplurality of cylinders arranged around the shaft parallel therewith,pistons reciprocable in said cylinders, hubs on said shaft affording twospaced apart bearing races that are inclined at other than right anglesto the shaft, anti-friction bearings in said races, and an inclinedfloating wabbler disc extending between said anti-friction bearings androtatably supported by said anti-friction bearings and having a Icentral opening to clear said shaft, the pistons being slotted and theperiphery of said wabbler disc passing loosely and slidably through saidslots;

'6. Theapparatus as described in claim 5 in which spherical bearings areprovided in the pistons and the periphery of the wabbler disc isslidable through said spherical bearings.

'7. In an engine of the class described,- a shaft, a plurality ofcylinders arranged around said shaft parallel therewith, pistons in saidcylinders, means including a flat inclined floating wabbler disc havingrelatively rotatable engagement with the pistons and with the shaft fortransmitting the thrust of the pistons as atorqueto the shaft and acounterweight secured to the shaft for counterbalancing the vibrationsproduced by said pistons.

v 8. In an engine of the class described, a rotatable shaft, a pluralityof pistons positioned thereabout and a discrotatable relative to saidshaft and pistons for effectingtheir interconnection.

9. In an engine of the class described, a rotatable' shaft, a pluralityof reciprocable pistons positioned thereabout, a disc rotatable relativeto said shaft and pistons for changing a force in translation of thepistons to one in rotation of the shaft.

about, a disc rotatable relative to said shaft and pistons for effectingtheir interconnection, raceways fixed to said shaft, and ball hearingsin engagement with both sides of the disc and said raceways.

11. In an engine of the class described, a rotatable shaft, a pluralityof pistons positioned thereabout, a disc rotatable relative to saidshaft and pistons for efiecting their interconnection, race- Patent No.l, 978, 762.

it is hereby (Seal) 10. In an engine of the class described, a rotatableshaft, a plurality of pistons positioned there-- above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: Page 2,

l, strike out the word "sliding" and insert the same after "having" inline of said claim; and that the said Letters Patent should he read withliiiS correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this l8lh day of December, A. D. 1934.

ways fixed in angular relation to said shaft and ball hearings inengagement with both sides of the disc and a side of said raceways.

/ 12. In an engine of the class described, a rotatable shaft, aplurality of pistons positioned thereabout, a disc rotatable relative tosaid shaft and pistons for effecting their interconnection, racewaysfixed in angular relation to said shaft, ball hearings in engagementwith both sides of said disc and a side of said raceways, and bearingmembers associated with said pistons for receiving the edge of the disc.

EDGAR U. G. REAGAN.

October 30, 1934.

EDGAR U. G. REAGAN.

certified that error appears in the printed specification of the line72, claim 71,

Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

translation of the pistons to one in rotation of the shaft.

about, a disc rotatable relative to said shaft and pistons for effectingtheir interconnection, raceways fixed to said shaft, and ball hearingsin engagement with both sides of the disc and said raceways.

11. In an engine of the class described, a rotatable shaft, a pluralityof pistons positioned thereabout, a disc rotatable relative to saidshaft and pistons for efiecting their interconnection, race- Patent No.l, 978, 762.

it is hereby (Seal) 10. In an engine of the class described, a rotatableshaft, a plurality of pistons positioned there-- above numbered patentrequiring correction as follows: Page 2,

l, strike out the word "sliding" and insert the same after "having" inline of said claim; and that the said Letters Patent should he read withliiiS correction therein that the same may conform to the record of thecase in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this l8lh day of December, A. D. 1934.

ways fixed in angular relation to said shaft and ball hearings inengagement with both sides of the disc and a side of said raceways.

/ 12. In an engine of the class described, a rotatable shaft, aplurality of pistons positioned thereabout, a disc rotatable relative tosaid shaft and pistons for effecting their interconnection, racewaysfixed in angular relation to said shaft, ball hearings in engagementwith both sides of said disc and a side of said raceways, and bearingmembers associated with said pistons for receiving the edge of the disc.

EDGAR U. G. REAGAN.

October 30, 1934.

EDGAR U. G. REAGAN.

certified that error appears in the printed specification of the line72, claim 71,

Leslie Frazer Acting Commissioner of Patents.

